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Search widens after girl's kidnap | Search widens after girl's kidnap |
(about 4 hours later) | |
The search has widened for a van driver after a teenage girl kidnapped in the street underwent a "horrendous" ordeal. | The search has widened for a van driver after a teenage girl kidnapped in the street underwent a "horrendous" ordeal. |
The 15-year-old was snatched in Wrexham and found safe 15 hours later on Saturday morning in Bangor, Gwynedd. | The 15-year-old was snatched in Wrexham and found safe 15 hours later on Saturday morning in Bangor, Gwynedd. |
North Wales Police no longer believe Alan Grant, also known as Alan Weston, from Stockport, Greater Manchester, is in the Bangor area. | |
Assistant chief constable Iain Shannon said the public had given police several possible sightings of him. | |
We are very concerned that the kidnapper is still at large and a threat to the public Assistant chief constable Iain Shannon | |
Police are liaising with other forces and have warned the public not to approach the driver, whose van has been traced. | |
Mr Shannon said: "We are very concerned that the kidnapper is still at large and a threat to the public. But we want to reassure people we are doing absolutely everything to protect them." | |
"We are leaving no stone unturned and feel confident that in due course we will come to a successful conclusion. | |
Mr Shannon said a large number of officers were involved in the hunt, and added: "We will commit whatever resources we need to commit to finding this man." | |
He said the girl had been hurt but not seriously injured. "Although she is recovering, she is still extremely traumatised," he added. | |
Police tape near the scene of Friday's abduction in Wrexham | |
It began at about 1600 BST on Friday when she was spotted being forced into a van near busy Summerhill Road, on the edge of Wrexham. | It began at about 1600 BST on Friday when she was spotted being forced into a van near busy Summerhill Road, on the edge of Wrexham. |
A member of the public called police, and three hours later the girl was reported missing after failing to return home. | A member of the public called police, and three hours later the girl was reported missing after failing to return home. |
North Wales Police launched one of the biggest searches they have ever staged, with help from other forces in the area. | North Wales Police launched one of the biggest searches they have ever staged, with help from other forces in the area. |
Tree-lined path | |
No details have been made public on how the girl was found, but she was traced some 70 miles away at about 0700 BST on Saturday. | No details have been made public on how the girl was found, but she was traced some 70 miles away at about 0700 BST on Saturday. |
She is receiving medical treatment and being supported by relatives and police family liaison officers. | She is receiving medical treatment and being supported by relatives and police family liaison officers. |
The white LDV van, registration R474 GNB, which had an orange beacon on the roof, was found at a farm three miles outside Bangor, about an hour after the girl was traced. | The white LDV van, registration R474 GNB, which had an orange beacon on the roof, was found at a farm three miles outside Bangor, about an hour after the girl was traced. |
We do not - I repeat do not - want the public to approach him, but to call 999 Det Supt Peter Chalinor | |
At the kidnap scene, police tape was strung across the tree-lined path alongside the road, and signs asked the public for information. | |
There were road blocks in place in the Bangor area on Saturday, but but these were lifted after the hunt was broadened. | |
The kidnap happened just along from Pendine Park Nursing Home | The kidnap happened just along from Pendine Park Nursing Home |
Det Supt Peter Chalinor, who is heading the inquiry, said: "We need to speak to Mr Grant as soon as possible. | Det Supt Peter Chalinor, who is heading the inquiry, said: "We need to speak to Mr Grant as soon as possible. |
"We do not - I repeat do not - want the public to approach him, but to call 999. We are trying to protect the public." | "We do not - I repeat do not - want the public to approach him, but to call 999. We are trying to protect the public." |
He said the girl's family were "obviously extremely relieved to have her home". | He said the girl's family were "obviously extremely relieved to have her home". |